Guillem Balague:

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"Hi Guillem, all of this hype sourounding jose mourinho and the saying that the wave is swinging for real madrid right now. But once Jose leaves and it does seem that he will if not this... "
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"wonderfull column as always...I think Madrid have a better chance of winning the Cup game in all of these 4 games. This is because Mourinho can play any system and not worry about how ... "
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It got to the verge of violence in the tunnel and we'll be discussing that on Revista, but on the soaking wet pitch it had tension, controlled aggression - although some people may argue David Navarro on Cristiano Ronaldo wasn't that controlled - and it had a Real Madrid which needed to impose their personality.

Ronaldo: Despite a cut eye, the Portuguese struck for Real

They did so by using different layers which some people thought were disappearing from the club: commitment, belief, aggression.

That came to the fore because it needed to and they won 2-1. It was a great test of personality for Real Madrid and I love the fact Jose Mourinho said at the end 'winter exists', meaning it was rainy, it was difficult to play in and it affects teams with more technical ability, but you have to play in it.

Real Madrid needed to impose their personality and did so by using different layers which some people thought was disappearing from the club: commitment, belief, aggression. nn

It was also another display of Levante, a club based on the experience of the players, a very good transfer policy and clever managing of the smallest budget in La Liga. So well done both of them.

In the case of Barcelona we saw some more ups and downs. We saw a Barcelona side more similar to the Dream Team than Pep Guardiola's team, with Lionel Messi as the man who wants to break all the records, not just the collective ones but the individual ones as well.

However, it's worrying that Sergio Busquets said after the game they are trying to get Messi to beat Gerd Muller's record of 85 goals in a calendar year.

Messi's currently nine goals behind but thinking about that makes them forget what their priority should be. They should be looking for a more balanced team, which we're still not seeing at Barcelona, partly because they don't have their regular centre-backs and the team is defending very badly as a collective as well.

The team is still too stretched and sometimes they lose a little focus, which, although it's understandable when they're 3-0 up, didn't happen two years ago.

So, there's still room for improvement but statistically they are the best Barcelona in history in the league. That's interesting because the impression I've felt is this Barcelona isn't as good as the Barcelona two years ago - but better than last year, and different.

Tito Vilanova is managing to evolve the team; sometimes it is Xavi's Barcelona, sometimes it is Cesc's Barcelona.

Guillem answers your questions...

Got a question for Guillem? Then send it toskysportsclub@bskyb.com or use the feedback form below, and then look out for his answer next week.

SLIPPING BACK?Hi Guillem, I was wondering what your take is on Osasuna's start to the season? After a few good years and some solid displays at the end of last season, it feels like we're going backwards! How much of a loss were Javad Nekounam and Raul Garcia?Sam Page

GUILLEM SAYS: They beat my Espanyol so that was a good result for them! Osasuna is a team financially punching above their weight, so they decided to reduce the wages of some of the players. The ones who didn't want to reduce their wages left, including Nekounam, although Raul Garcia was on loan from Atletico. Yes, they were massive names to leave but Osasuna is finding the place it should be in. They need a bit more stability on the pitch with but, in any case, fighting for relegation is perhaps where Osasuna has to be, given the investment and money they have at the moment.

CENTRAL ISSUEHi Guillem, I think Barca were a more complete side and played their best football when they had Samuel Eto'o down the middle and Leo Messi on the wing. Your thoughts? Oliver Aspey

GUILLEM SAYS:It is funny you should say that, Oliver. As I explain in my Pep Guardiola biography called Another Way of Winning, which is coming out on Thursday, in the Champions League final against Manchester United in 2009, Samuel Eto'o ended up playing on the right after 10 minutes and Messi went through the middle - and they ended up winning. From day one Guardiola had the belief Messi should go through the centre and, once Eto'o disappeared and after the signing of Zlatan Ibrahimovic was considered a mistake, a year-and-a-half after Guardiola arrived, Messi was through the middle. From then on there was no stopping Messi or Barcelona, so I have to disagree with you.

MATA ON THE MOVE?Hi Guillem, Juan Mata has made a superb start to the season and has, in my opinion, outshone both Eden Hazard and Oscar. Is there any substance to the rumours linking him with Real Madrid?Dan Lynch

GUILLEM SAYS:There's no substance to those rumours. He used to be at Real but they let him go for free. It was a mistake, but they're not after him now.

MOURINHO'S MADRID STAYHola Guillem. Do you see Jose Mourinho continuing as Real Madrid boss if he fails to win the Champions League and La Liga this season? Damian Mundia

GUILLEM SAYS:We'll see how season goes and how they fall in the Champions League and La Liga. It depends on how they do and, if they don't win La Liga or the Champions League, how their season is affected by injuries. But the impression I've got is that Mourinho has a stronghold of authority at the club and he'll stay at the club longer than people expect.

RAYO'S WAY TO PLAYHi Guillem, Do you think Rayo Vallecano can finish in the top 10 this season? Also, how big an influence do you think Alejandro Dominguez can have on Rayo's campaign? I thought he would be a big player when he was at Valencia but it never really worked out for him. Daniel Smith

GUILLEM SAYS:There is an interesting 'conversation' Paco Jemez is having with Scotland, if you like. He said he'd be ashamed to play like Celtic did against Barcelona. Loyal to his word he's asking Rayo to play a high defensive line, pressure high up and keep the ball - and he's doing it with the second lowest budget in La Liga, which is very impressive. They haven't got the riches of Celtic but they are playing how, as Jemez says, football should be played. That's the way Celtic play most of the time, but not how they played against Barcelona. Why not? That's what Jemez is saying. He thinks they should stay loyal to that way of playing, be offensive and give their fans a spectacle. It is an interesting discussion - what is right way of playing, is there a right way of playing and should you always be loyal to that?

Comments (5)

Malcolm Bougard (Liverpool fan) says...

Hi, I am amazed that Barcelona continues to use a brilliant striker like David Villa almost as a super sub! This guy is a natural striker but must be so frustrated at being subbed all the time or coming on as a sub!! His goal scoring exploits put many an international (and more famous) striker to shame and it must be said, his strike rate has put Spain up there as the best footballing nation at present.

Posted 08:57 14th November 2012

Manthane lucas Makhongoana (Liverpool fan) says...

It concerns me to hear that LIVERPOOL are looking for a striker,because according to me we need more than just one striker,We need players who can make an immedeate impact on our play,players who would provide depth heading into the second round of the league.My question is who is most likely to be signed by LIVERPOOL in january?

Posted 15:44 13th November 2012

Phil Lewis (Arsenal fan) says...

I'm not sure about Guillem's use of stats re the Eto'o answer. He says Barca have been unstoppable since Messi went through the middle. Not true at all. Chelsea stopped them, Real stopped them, Celtic stopped them. With Pep on the bench and Eto'o through the middle, Barca won everything they entered.
At least Messi finally went wide towards the end of the Celtic match, something Barca should have been trying against parked buses a long time ago.

Posted 13:09 13th November 2012

Marsel Konomi (Barcelona fan) says...

Hi Guillem, love to read you every week. Do you think that currently the ideal partner for Messi in Barcelona's attack would be Aguero, something that would provide to Barcelona even a plan B?

Posted 12:17 13th November 2012

Fahim Kahn (Barcelona fan) says...

Hi, one very important question regarding BallondOr is Do individual record Messi is breaking and is continuing to do so will play a major role deciding who the winner is of the prestigious Award and secondly If Messi wins how much it will demoralise Ronaldo??